Mavericks Add to Roster with Coccimiglio and Cooper

INDEPENDENCE, Missouri - The Missouri Mavericks announced Thursday the Central Hockey League (CHL) club has signed forwards Brandon Coccimiglio and Vern Cooper. The Mavericks now have seven players signed for the 2011-12 season.

"We are excited to bring some quality young players back this season," said Mavericks' President and General Manager Brent Thiessen. "We were able to see their production last season, and we will count on them this season to make quality contributions night in and out."

Coccimiglio (COTCH-ih-mih-lee-oh), 23 (7/19/87), returns to the Mavericks after played in 20 games in Missouri during his rookie season. The Burlington, Ontario native registered 13 points on seven goals and six assists during the regular season with the Mavericks. He recorded two hat tricks in his abbreviated season with Missouri. His first hat trick came in a win over the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees during the Mavericks' final weekend of the regular season, and his second hat trick was in a 5-0 win over the Wichita Thunder in game two of the Mavericks' opening round playoff series. During the playoffs, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound forward registered nearly a point per game with eight points (4-48) in nine games and finished third on the team in scoring during the Mavericks' playoff run.

"We are really excited to bring Brandon back," said Mavericks' Head Coach Scott Hillman. "He not only worked his way into the lineup, but to our top line and he was our most consistent offensive contributor after joining the team. This season, we will be moving him to center because of his speed and ability to distribute the puck."

Prior to coming to Missouri, Coccimiglio played seven games in the ECHL. He scored one goal and one assist in seven games for the Greenville Warriors and Alaska Aces. He spent four seasons with Mercyhurst College and totaled 35 goals and 42 assists in 111 games. Prior to his collegiate career, he played for the Burlington Cougars of the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League (OPJHL) for two seasons scoring 50 points (24-2650) in 62 games. Coccimiglio was then signed by the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League (USHL) where he recorded 33 points (16-1733) in 67 games over two seasons.

Cooper, 20 (12/30/90), becomes the seventh player signed by the Mavericks for the 2011-12 season. A native of Sudbury, Ontario, he joined the Mavericks as an amateur player for the team's 2011 playoff run. In three games with Missouri during the playoffs, Cooper did not record a point, but he recorded 11 shots over the three games and led the team with six shots in game two vs. Colorado.

"Our scouting staff is focused on finding the best young talent and Cooper was identified prior to our playoff run," added Hillman. "We are happy he decided to sign with us for his rookie season. As we focus on gearing up our offense, Cooper showed very quickly, that as a 20-year old, we believe he can be an offensive star in this league."

The 5-foot-9, 200-pound forward played last season with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) where he accounted for 60 points on 25 goals and 35 assists in just 56 games. Cooper played the last five seasons for Plymouth and Sault Ste. Marie, and he recorded 217 points (94-123217) in 306 games.

The Mavericks will begin their third season in the Central Hockey League in October 2011. Season tickets are on sale now and start at just under $11 per game. Call (816) 252-7825 or visit www.MissouriMavericks.com for more information.